as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preliminary
Evan Bush, NBC news, 16 Apr. 2026
The story was based on an inconclusive, preliminary finding by ballistics experts and led to speculation about Robinson's possible exoneration.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
The contestant from Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, took a scary tumble during the evening gown round at Wednesday’s preliminaries and was carried away in a stretcher, according to social media videos which circulated of her fall.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
That tornado’s wind speeds reached about 125 mph, according to preliminary damage reports.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 16 Apr. 2026
The story was based on an inconclusive, preliminary finding by ballistics experts and led to speculation about Robinson's possible exoneration.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Is it reduced to yet another fill-in-the-blank preliminary to a national title game in some super-duper-they-look-alike stadium?
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
The contestant from Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, took a scary tumble during the evening gown round at Wednesday’s preliminaries and was carried away in a stretcher, according to social media videos which circulated of her fall.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
-
That vision also includes preparatory work, through robotic landings in the general region of the lunar south pole, targeted to happen as often as once a month starting in 2027.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Joint Budget Committee’s half-dozen members finished their extensive preparatory work on the annual spending plan last week.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The vast No Kings demonstrations should be considered a prelude to targeting enough Republican Senate incumbents and open races to flip the Senate this fall, and pressuring Republicans up for reelection in 2028 to do their constitutional duty.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Some staff fear this could be a prelude to job cuts.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
-
As an introductory offer, the first drone delivery order of $10 or more gets a $5 discount and free delivery.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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